Category Archives: Fort Scott

Church news, Food, Fort Scott

Fundraiser for Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries is Sunday, May 5 at 1st Baptist Church

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Sunday May 5th from 12pm-1pm at First Baptist Church of Fort Scott, 123 Scott Ave. the church will host a bake sale fundraiser for Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries.
*This is a FREE WILL OFFERING*
Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries helps our community with:
-groceries
-gas voucher to get to medical appointments/work
-non-narcotic medications
-shoes/clothes for work
-diabetic supplies
-hygiene
-incontinence pads
-baby diapers
-wheelchair/crutches on loan
-blankets/sheets/pillows
-resource assistance
-homeless kits
-needs to establish employment
-and more
-100% of donations stay in Fort Scott and goes to helping our community.
If you can’t make it to the Bake Sale and still want to help support this resource in our community-you can feel free to reach out to Tanya Glessner or Angela Handly.
*PLEASE SHARE THIS POST TO HELP GET THE WORD OUT*
Fort Scott, Government

Agenda for the Fort Scott City Commission on May 7

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NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR REGULAR

MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION

City Hall Commission Room – 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

May 7, 2024 – 6:00 P.M.

 

  1. Call to Order
  2. Roll Call

Matthew Wells,    Tim VanHoecke,     Melissa Guns,     Dyllon Olson,     Tracy Dancer

III.    Pledge of Allegiance – T. Dancer/Mayor

  1. Invocation – M. Wells/Commissioner
  2. Approval of Agenda
  3. Consent Agenda
  4. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1359-A – Expense Approval Report – Payment Dates – April 10, 2024 – April 30, 2024 – $1,752,949.24

 

  1. Approval of Minutes for April 16, 2024.

 

  1. RESOLUTION NO. 14-2024 – RESOLUTION AND NOTICE OF HEARING WITH REFERENCE TO ALLEGE DUNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE (AND ACCESSORY STRUCTURE) PARCEL #006-119-30-0-30-25-010-00-0 LEGALLY DESCRIBED AS FORT SCOTT, LOT 8 BLK 132 IN BOURBON COUNTY, IN THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, KANSAS, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS [314 S. EDDY], FORT SCOTT, KS 66701 – Tabled from April 2, 2024.

 

  1. RESOLUTION NO. 15-2024 – RESOLUTION AND NOTICE OF HEARING WITH REFERENCE TO ALLEGED UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE (AND ACCESSORY STRUCTURE) PARCEL #006-119-30-0-30-27-002-00-0 LEGALLY DESCRIBED AS FORT SCOTT, S 25’ LOT 4 BLK 130 IN BOURBON COUNTY, IN THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, KANSAS, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS [306 S. LOWMAN], FORT SCOTT, KS 66701 – Tabled from April 2, 2024.

 

VII.   Public Comment – Sign up required before the beginning of the meeting on register at the          entrance of the Commission Room. Public Comments are for any topic not on the agenda and                      limited to five (5) minutes per person, at the Commission’s discretion.

VIII.    Appearances – Must be scheduled with the City Clerk at least (1) week prior to the meeting           you wish to address the Commission. You will be scheduled on the agenda to speak on your topic.

  1. Dave Bruner/Fire Chief and Jason Pickert/Police Chief – City flooding updates
  2. Scott Flater/Water Utilities Director – Wastewater Treatment Plant update

 

 

  1. Old Business
  2. RESOLUTION NO. 12-2024 – RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR        REMOVAL OF AN ALLEGED UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE AND    ACCESSORY STRUCTURE – KNOWN AS [110 W. OAK], FORT SCOTT, KS 66701 –        Tabled from April 2, 2024 – Owner to return with requested information for the Commission.     Removed from April 16, 2024, agenda – L. Kruger
  3. RESOLUTION NO. 13-2024 – RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR        REMOVAL OF AN ALLEGED UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE AND    ACCESSORY STRUCTURE – PARCEL #006-119-29-0-10-12-00900-0-01 LEGALLY            DESCRIBED AS CAMERONS ADD-SUB DIV ORIG BLK 5, LOTS 27 & 28 BLK 3                                                   IN BOURBON COUNTY, IN THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, KANSAS, OTHERWISE   KNOWN AS [1801 E. WALL], FORT SCOTT, KS 66701 – Tabled from April 2, 2024.                         Received Title Search – N. Nation and L. Kruger
  4. Consideration of donation to BBGo Transportation Service – $4,500.00
  5. Consideration of Proposal for Construction Observation for Horton Street & 6th     Street Improvement Project (180 calendar days) – Earles Engineering & Inspection –                  J. Dickman
  6. New Business
  7. Consideration to Purchase Time Clocks, License and Setup to be split between          departments – Tyler Technologies – $13,514 – P. Coyan
  8.  Consideration to Approve Construction a Public Safety Training Area – D. Bruner      and M. Miles
  9. Consideration of Letter of Interest for (1) Library Board Vacancy – Chelsey      McAllister – Recommended by Library Board to begin May 11, 2024 – (1) vacancy still under consideration – M. Wells
  10.  Consideration to Approve Resignation of Carol MacArthur from Planning             Commission and Advertise for Replacement Candidate – Reappointed March 5, 2024.
  11.  Consideration to Implement Deposit for Memorial Hall Usage – B. Matkin
  12. Reports and Comments
  13. City Manager Comments
  14.  Engineering Comments
  15.   Commissioners Comments
  16.  City Attorney Comments

 

XII.      Executive Session

XIII.     Adjourn

 

Fort Scott, Government

Unapproved Minutes of the Fort Scott City Commission on April 16

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CITY OF FORT SCOTT

CITY COMMISSION MEETING

 

 

Minutes of April 16, 2024                                        Regular Meeting

 

The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held April 16, 2024, at 6:00PM in the City Commission Meeting Room at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. (Time stamps according to YouTube recording of meeting).

 

Roll Call

Meeting called to order at 6:02PM (Time stamp: 2:27). Commissioners Matthew Wells, Tim VanHoecke, Melissa Guns, and Dyllon Olson were present with Mayor Tracy Dancer.

 

Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation

  1. Dancer led the Pledge of Allegiance and M. Wells said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City, our Government and City officials.

 

Audience in Attendance – Brad Matkin/City Manager, Bob Farmer/City Attorney, Jason Dickman/City Engineer-Earles Engineering, Jason Pickert/Chief of Police, Payton Coyan/City HR Director, Jessica Oliphant/BakerTilly (by phone), Scott Flater/Water Utilities Director, Lisa Lewis/City Clerk, Diane Striler, Cory Bryars, Scott Dennis, Kristen Dennis, Casey Brown/SEK-CAP, Scott Christiansen/SEK-CAP, Jamey M. Whitney/SEK-CAP, Cherri Walrod/Core Community, Kellie Kemp, Brandi Meeks, Don Tucker, Jean Tucker, and Bailey Lyons.

 

Proclamation – The Fort Scott City Commission declared April 27, 2024 “Spencer Lee Day” with a Memorial Proclamation read by Mayor Tracy Dancer and accepted by Kellie Kemp.

 

Approval of Agenda

The City Clerk requested (2) amendments to the Agenda: 1) Removal of Item 1 – Old Business – Resolution No. 12-2024/Repair or Removal of a Dangerous Structure known as 110 W. Oak (requested by L. Kruger/Codes);  2) Addition of Item 5 – New Business – Action Items – Consideration of Agreement No. 208-22 for Project No. U 2455-01 – Cost Share Program.

 

  1. VanHoecke asked for clarification regarding Resolution No. 121-2024 – Resolution to Repair or Remove a Dangerous Structure known as 110 W. St. being removed from the agenda under Public Hearing. B. Matkin stated that the Codes Department is not present due to training out of town and the item will be returned on an upcoming agenda. He also spoke with the property owner.

 

MOTION:   M. Wells moved to approve the agenda with the requested amendments. D. Olson seconded the motion.  All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

Consent Agenda

 

–  Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1358-A – Expense Approval Report – Payment Dates – March 27, 2024 – April 9, 2024 – $464,041.39

–  Approval of Minutes from April 2, 2024, and March 26, 2024, Special Meeting.

 

–  Request to Pay – Hofer, Hofer & Associates – Application No. 1 – Gunn Park Shower House and Restroom – Current Amount Due – $58,065.30

 

–  Request to Pay – Environmental Process Equipment Company (EPEC) – Cell #2 -Phase 2 Aeration Upgrade – Final Retainage – 10% of Total – $82,661.80 –S. Flater

 

–  Request to Pay – Ray Lindsey Company – 55% Due With Shipment (per contract) –    Invoice #2024084 – Supply and Removal of Smith & Loveless Grit Equipment – $333,856.05 – S. Flater

 

–  Request to Pay – Schneider Electric – Invoice #0001010681 – Client Service Contract – April 1, 2024 – March 31, 2025 – $12,543.00.

 

–  March Financials

 

MOTION:  M. Wells moved to approve the Consent Agenda.  M. Guns seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

 

Public Comment – No Public Comments.

 

 

Appearances

 

–  Payton Coyan  (Time stamp – 12:01) – Temporary Street Closure – Luau Event – May 18, 2024 – 10:00AM to 11:00PM – North National to Oak – Market Street, North National to Old Fort Blvd. to North Main and Old Fort Blvd (alley entrance).

 

MOTION:  M. Wells moved to approve the request for Temporary Street Closures on May 18, 2024.  T. VanHoecke seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

  1. Coyan recognized the sponsors of the Luau Event as well as those who donated.

 

–  Cherri Walrod – Core Community Bourbon County (Time stamp 15:24) appeared before the Commission to update them on the Core Community successes over the past year and invited everyone to the first graduation of those who completed the program so far.

 

  1. Matkin requested that the Chair recognize the addition of a Public Comment from Bailey Lyons and that she be allowed to speak at this time because she had to leave.

 

–  Bailey Lyons and John Crain – Downtown Chamber Division (Time stamp 26:35)  appeared before the Commission to remind everyone regarding the Earth Day Downtown Cleanup on April 24th from 4:00PM – 6:00PM and explain what will be done during the project.    She also acknowledged the Elks Club who provided a grant that funded most of the project, Good Neighbor Action Team and Bourbon County Arts Council and the City of Fort Scott.

 

–  Scott Christiansen/Transportation Director, Jamey Whitney/CEO and Casey Brown/Community Engagement Coordinator – BB Go Transportation– Southeast Kansas Community Action Program, Inc. (SEK-CAP) (Time stamp 33:01) appeared before the Commission to present the transportation services, in conjunction with the Bourbon County Action Team, they provide to citizens of Bourbon County. They are asking that the City consider making a donation to the company in order to continue services as well as expand in the future.

 

–  Diane Striler and Cory Bryars – Downtown Community Ice Rink (Time stamp 45:41) appeared before the Commission for consideration of the MOU they wrote to acquire a synthetic ice rink for the City of Fort Scott.

 

MOTION:  M. Wells moved to approve the MOU in its current state.  M. Guns seconded the motion.  M. Wells and M. Guns voted yes.  D. Olson, T. VanHoecke and T. Dancer voted no.

 

MOTION FAILED BY 2-3 VOTE.

 

ACTION:  T. VanHoecke requested that the City Clerk provide the MOU in its current state on the City website with the minutes of the meeting.

 

 

 

 

Old Business

 

REQUEST TO VACATE OLD FORD STREET – Scott and Kristen Dennis – Property described as: 60’ x 150’ OF FORD STREET LOCATED BETWEEN LOTS 7-12, BLOCK 3, TALLMAN 1ST ADDITION, MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS 60’ X 150’ OF FORD STREET IN THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS. Tabled from 4/2/2024 for further information. (Time stamp 59:32)

 

  1. Wells stated that the further information was provided and the clarity was instead of 60’ by 120’ it is actually 60’ by 150’ square feet. Instead of it being 7,500 square feet, the Commission is being asked to vacate 9,000 square feet.

 

  1. VanHoecke left the meeting at 7:06PM.

 

  1. VanHoecke returned to the meeting at 7:08PM.

 

  1. Farmer recommended for consideration to get the land surveyed and the City could issue a Quit Claim Deed.

 

MOTION:   D. Olson moved to vacate a 60’ by 150’ of Old Ford Street.  M. Guns seconded the motion.  M. Guns and D. Olson voted yes. M. Wells, T. VanHoecke and T. Dancer voted no.

 

MOTION FAILED BY 2-3 VOTE.

 

ACTION:  M. Wells directed that the City get the house “plotted” as a first step and then continue to figure out a path forward at another date.

 

MOTION:  M. Guns moved to have the City take responsibility and pay for the survey to be completed.  D. Olson seconded the motion.

 

  1. Dennis stated that he had planned to put a porch on the back of the house.

 

  1. VanHoecke requested to add to the motion on the table that the footprint of the house plus thirty (30) feet beyond. . . (statement not completed).

 

Further discussion was had about the amount of property to be included in the deed.

 

  1. VanHoecke struck his addition to motion made by M. Guns.

 

  1. VanHoecke seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

ACTION:  B. Matkin stated that Norm Nation from the Codes Department would reach out to S. Dennis regarding the survey.

 

  1. Farmer left the meeting at 7:19PM.

 

Discussion of Event Sponsorship Grant Program (Tourism Grant) – B. Matkin explained the program and the pay out options once approved through the rubric.

 

  1. Farmer returned to the meeting at 7:21PM.

 

Discussion was had about the administration of the rubric and amount limits.

 

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to approve that the maximum grant amount be $5,000.00 and that the rubric and evaluation sheet done by City staff be a line item in future agendas that are included in the Commissioners’ Agenda Packets.            M. Wells seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

 

New Business

 

  1. Public Hearings

 

  1. CASE NO. 1045 – Zoning Change C2 to R2 – Requested by Jason Marbery – Intended use is to build four (4) duplexes – Recommended by Planning Commission March 27, 2024.

 

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to open the public hearing at 7:28PM (Time stamp 1:27:11)  M. Wells seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

Jason Marberry was not present.  There was no one present to be heard at the public hearing.

 

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to close the public hearing at 7:29 (Time stamp 1:29:27).  M. Wells seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to approve the zoning change request from C2 to R2 as recommended by the Planning Commission for Case No. 1045.  M. Guns seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

 

  1. Action Items

 

Consideration of Purchase – Two (2) New Teledyne Ozone Analyzers (Teledyne API M465H) – $15,120.00 – S. Flater

 

MOTION:  M. Wells moved to approve the purchase of the two (2) Teledyne Ozone Analyzers.  D. Olson seconded the motion.  All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

  1. Flater updated the Commission on the Water Plant with the following items:

 

–  April 2, 2024 – No. 3 High Service Pump installed; pump No. 2 next year may need to be rebuilt next year.

 

–  Phase II of the Aeration for lagoon system (WWTP) completed and running well.

 

–  Grit Removal System (WWTP) – old system removed by Ray Lindsay Co., new system anticipated to be up and running by May.

 

–   ADM averaging twenty (20) drop-off loads per week.

 

–  pH average is between seven (7) and eight (8) – (7) is neutral. There was a meeting last week with City staff and ADM to talk about the present and the future.

 

–   Laboratory testing coming back in good shape for the past couple of months. There are items being watched but they are not compliance issues.

 

– ADM is working on an aeration system for their lagoons which has been beneficial to the quality of loads we receive. They are still working on being within contract limits.

 

–   AMS is still here, ADM is paying the bill for AMS to be here and inject microbes into the lagoon systems. There are currently (5) trailers on site and each trailer injects microbes into the lagoons twice a day.

 

– Current agreement is for AMS to be here until the end of June. There was discussion of reducing trailers from five (5) to three (3) by that time.

 

–   All observations indicate a healthy system.

 

 

Consideration of Addendum No. 2 – Wastewater Evaluation and Design Contract – Project No. 21-303 – Additional Consultant Services from Earles Engineering & Inspection, Inc. to Finalize Plans and Bidding for the Davis Lift Station overflow pump and force main – $18,000.00 –  J. Dickman

 

–  J. Dickman reported the state required the City to mitigate the overflow that tends to happen during heavy rains at the Davis Lift Station.  Earles Engineering has been working on designing a pump to get the overflow into a force main and direct it into Cell No. 2 at the lagoons.

 

–   Survey was done, plans laid out, last step is sizing the pump properly.

 

–   Part of the original scope of that work from 2021 included an evaluation of the entire WWTP based on KDHE’s recommendations, this contract did not make it all the way through complete design, so the current charge is to get past the preliminaries, out to bid and to the finish line.

 

MOTION:  M. Wells moved to accept Addendum No. 2.  of the Wastewater Evaluation and Design Contract – Project No. 21-303.  T. VanHoecke seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

 

Consideration of Inspection Proposal – Earles Engineering & Inspection, Inc. – Project No. 22-049 – Horton & 6th Streets – KDOT Cost Share Project – J. Dickman

 

ACTION:  B. Matkin requested that J. Dickman amend the document to delete “City of Pittsburg” and replace it with “City of Fort Scott”.

 

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to table the Consideration of Inspection Proposal for Project No. 22-049 until the meeting of May 7, 2024.  M. Wells seconded the motion.  All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

Consideration of Bids – Project No. 22-049 – Horton & 6th Streets – KDOT Cost Share Project – J. Dickman

–   Three (3) bids were received opened on April 11, 2024: Heck and Wicker were the low bidder (within 10% of the Engineer’s estimate).

 

  1. Matkin left the meeting at 7:48 PM.

 

  1. Matkin returned to the meeting at 7:49 PM

 

Discussion was had about salvaging bricks according to the Brick Policy within the bids and the budget for this project.

 

  1. Oliphant/BakerTilly did not have any additional comments to add.

 

MOTION:  D. Olson moved to approve the bid of Heck and Wicker, Inc. minus line 44 of the bid.  T. VanHoecke seconded the motion.  All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

 

Consideration of Agreement No. 208-22, Project No. U 2455-01 – Agreement between the Secretary of Transportation (KDOT) and the City of Fort Scott – J. Dickman

  1. Dickman explained that this document is the Cost Share Agreement with KDOT for the Horton and 6th Street Project that was originally executed in 2022.

 

MOTION:  M. Wells moved to approve Cost Share Agreement No. 208-22.  M. Guns seconded the motion.

 

  1. Matkin asked if the name of the LPA/City Manager on page 15 of 17 be changed from Kelley Zellner to Brad Matkin. J. Dickman did not believe it mattered but would verify. M. Wells stated that it was possibly due to the time the agreement was drawn up.

 

ACTION:  J. Dickman will make sure that the Cost Share Coordinator has all updated information.

 

  1. Olson called to vote. All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

 

Reports and Comments

 

City Manager (Time stamp 2:00:15) – B. Matkin

  • Wyatt/Planning, Housing and Community Development Director went to a grant writing conference and couldn’t appear. She asked B. Matkin to address some current issues with the Land Bank.
  • Olson stated that at April 15, 2024, Land Bank meeting, they voted to recommend: 1) changing membership to have no professional requirements; 2) all positions are three (3) year terms;   3) remove the wording “the main support comes from Bourbon County REDI” from Ordinance No. 3599;  3) appointments to the board would be from date of appointment.

 

ACTION:  B. Matkin requested that Ordinance No. 3599 be changed and brought to the next meeting for consideration to approve the Land Bank’s recommendations of the April 15, 2024, meeting.

 

–   Gunn Park Shower House and Restroom Update: the inside is mostly        completed and will be ready for usage once the water is hooked up.

 

–   An agreement was signed for $12,000.00 for citywide fireworks for July 6,             2024, behind FSCC.

 

–    Reminder for Work Session scheduled for Tuesday, April 25th at 6:00PM           regarding RHIDs with Garth Herrmann from Gilmore Bell.

 

–     Water leak and line repair at St. Mary’s Street and Eddy Street will probably require another week of work.

 

–     25th Street Update: (2) more concrete pours to complete the job in the next           few days.  Thank you to Peerless for letting everyone go through their parking lot during the project.

 

City Engineer (Time stamp 2:04:51) – J. Dickman

  • Compiling a list of active projects for budgeting purposes
  • Meeting with KDOT and City staff for Phase III planning and submission of the Wall Street CCLIP Project
  • 25th Street testing – all passing

 

Commissioners Comments

 

  1. Olson (Time stamp 2:05:51) – No comments.

 

 

  1. Wells (Time stamp 2:05:55)

–  Clarification from statement made at last meeting regarding the Ground Lease by the WWTP, his research found that the damage to the bottom land was not caused by the farmer, it was caused by the equipment the City used to rip the ground up. There is a good plan of action moving forward, but he wanted to apologize for stating that it was the farmer’s responsibility.

 

–  Asked for verification that the City has already approved to move forward with the RHID package. It was stated that they did approve to move forward but have not established districts. He asked that the Commission be proactive in moving this project forward because there are developers who have projects that can be completed once it is approved.  B. Matkin stated as a reminder that this is a slow process.

 

–  Status of 3rd Street Park restrooms – B. Matkin stated it is in process with Wi-Fi lock system.  He will check with B. Lemke for an update.

 

–  Asked if the leak on Eddy was due to heavy truck traffic that was allowed to go through for construction.  B. Matkin stated that was not the cause, it had been leaking for months and is not all on Eddy; it goes west into the alley.

 

–  Reminder of Civil War event at the Fort this weekend.

 

–   Anyone available to help with Clean-Up Day, April 22, 4-6PM.

 

 

  1. Guns (Time stamp 2:11:04) – No comments.

 

 

  1. VanHoecke (Time stamp 2:11:10)

      – Thank you to all who supported the Mary Queen of Angels Church School fundraiser. The amount raised at the event was $110,000.00 for the school.

 

–  Spots are still available for the upcoming REDI On the Green Golf Tournament on Friday, April 19th. Funding from that goes to local scholarships.

 

 

  1. Dancer (Time stamp 2:12:14)

      –  Reminder to citizens to get their golf cart permits for the year at City Hall.

–  Incident with UTV on National Ave. was clarified. It is owned by the Sheriff’s

Department and they were assisting the City Police Department on a call.

 

 

 

 

  1. VanHoecke stated he is still seeing underage operators of the UTV and golf carts on the streets and crossing US 69 Hwy, all possibilities of someone getting hurt.

 

 

City Attorney (Time stamp 2:14:30) – No comments.

 

 

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:14PM (Time stamp 8:14:35)  M. Guns seconded the motion.  All voted yes.

 

 

APRIL 16, 2024, MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:14PM.

 

_______________________________________________________________________

Respectfully submitted by:

Lisa A. Lewis, City Clerk

Bourbon County, Business, Food, Fort Scott

Working Past Health Issues, Spurgeon Builds a Cottage Business

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Bree Spurgeon. Submitted photo.

Bree Spurgeon started her cottage industry of specialty cookies in 2017.

A cottage industry is a small business in which people work in their own homes, according to Cambridge Dictionary.

The first business was named The Cookie MOMster, from a suggestion by her daughter.

“I started The Cookie MOMster in 2017 after taking Financial Peace University at the Nazarene church,” Spurgeon said.

She said she is domestic and crafty and thought she’d make some cookies for Valentine’s Day and advertise on Facebook.

“Next thing I know, I’m taking orders, making sheet cakes, cupcakes, and cookies,” she said.

Spurgeon is disabled with Cystic Fibrosis,  which was diagnosed at three months of age.

“I wasn’t able to hold down a full-time job, with my lungs, at that time, because of the previous infections that have damaged my lungs,” she said. “Medication came out in 2019 that changed my health for the better. Now I have a second chance at life without a lung transplant.  I can pretty much live a normal life, without gasping for air. I got my life back.”

But carpal tunnel syndrome began in her hands.

Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome usually start gradually and include tingling, numbness and weakness in her hands.

“It was excruciating enough to make me think of quitting, and I was experiencing burnout,” Spurgeon said.

She shifted gears and began to work at Bids and Dibs consignment store in the downtown area of Fort Scott.

“So I went to work at Bids and Dibs and eventually got over my burnout,” she said.

She began massage therapy for the carpal tunnel and started to get excited about making cookies again.

Submitted photos of B-Licious creations.

She started thinking about getting licensure for her cookie-making business.

“My daughter originally named me The Cookie MOMster, but since someone in Kansas has that name already, I’m not able to have it,” she said.

A month of agonizing over a name began.

Then one of her best friends sent the name B-Licious Cookies, for her to consider.

It combines the word delicious, which helped describe her cookies.

“My name starts with a B, I thought, that’s it, that’s my business name!” she said.

Spurgeon self-taught herself cookie baking.

“As I watched countless videos on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, I discovered royal icing and I fell in love,” she said. Royal icing is a type of icing composed of sugar, egg whites, and sometimes flavoring or coloring that dries to a hard glaze and is used for decorating baked goods, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary.

She began to focus on royal icing,

“I stopped doing buttercream, cakes, and cupcakes and focused on royal icing,” she said. “I look back on those days when I first started royal icing and they were so terrible, but everyone was so encouraging and you have to start somewhere. Plus, it was so much easier with carpal tunnel.”

“Fast forward to 2024, I fully own my own business and Healthy Bourbon County Action Team helped me gain my LLC wings,” she said. “The process was super easy and fast and they gave me all the information I needed to continue moving forward at the beginning of April.”

“I do not need a license because I do not use cream cheese and my final product doesn’t need refrigerated. I operate under the cottage law. I do everything at home and only make sugar cookies with royal icing.”

She has been honing her cookie decorating skills and now uses a cookie projector to download clipart about a particular theme onto a flash drive, put it into the projector and the image projects onto the cookie, then she traces it with icing.

The cookies before decorating. Submitted photo.

“I also use an airbrush and sometimes and I use cookie stencils as a background before I put the image on the cookie,” she said.

She advertises through Facebook only.

Cookies are priced $25 – $35 per dozen “depending on the difficulty of the theme.”

Spurgeon can be contacted at 620-215-6141.

 

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Schools

FS Christian Heights School Annual Fundraiser is May 4

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Sending on behalf of Chamber Member

Fort Scott Christian Heights…

Fort Scott Christian Heights is hosting their Annual Country Store, 5K and Auction Fundraiser on Saturday, May 4th.

5K – 7:30am registration, 8:00am Race and Fun Walk Begin.

For more information regarding the 5K call 620.215.4915

9:00am-4:00pm: Giant Indoor Garage Sale, Specialty Booths Bakery, Kettle Corn, Snow Cones, Full Concession Stand

4:00pm-6:00pm: Dinner featuring fried chicken, smoked pulled pork, sides, and homemade desserts.

Adults:$8, Kids:$5 (ages 5-12), Kids under 5 are free

6:00pm: Live benefit auction of merchandise and services donated by local businesses!

1101 South Barbee St.

For more information contact the school at 620.223.4330 or [email protected]
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Kansas

K.R.I. is Fully Staffed, Licensed and Ready for Patients

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401 Woodland Hills Blvd., the former Fort Scott Mercy Hospital, now is home to Kansas Renewal Institute, Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center, the Ashley Clinic, I Am Rehab Physical Therapy, Diamonds in the Market Place Hair Salon, and Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc.

Kansas Renewal Institute signed a lease on the building at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd., Fort Scott. on February 1, 2024, and celebrated the grand opening of Kansas’ newest mental health treatment center on April 18. The institute received its licensure on April 25.

“The License is specifically for Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) – 50 beds for adolescents,” Joe Tinervin, MSW, president of operations said. “We are starting with adolescents and intend to expand on our PRTF license to include other age groups at a future date.”

Their current license allows work with individuals no less than 6 years of age and not older than 21.
“However, any current resident may continue to receive treatment until that resident reaches 22 years of age,” Tinervin said. “Preadolescents (ages 6-10), adolescents (ages 11-17), and adults (ages 18 and older) will program and reside in separate units with no co-mingling between those groups.”
Joe Tinervin, from his LinkedIn site.
“Now that we are licensed, we have begun the enrollment/credentialing process with the Managed Care Organizations and expect to start serving their members within the next two weeks,” Tinervin said. “All referrals are generated by the MCOs who work in conjunction with the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services in coordinating appropriate placement.”
“At this time, we are fully staffed to accommodate a census of 20,” he said. “We will continue to hire additional personnel as our growth ramps and we’re always keeping our eye out for talented individuals to join our organization.”

They received their license to specialize in Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) level of care, according to a press release.

“The Fort Scott facility boasts state-of-the-art amenities and a multidisciplinary team of experts dedicated to addressing the unique needs of each individual. From therapeutic interventions to educational and recreational activities, every aspect of care is tailored to foster healing, growth, and resilience.”

 

Mike Sharpmack, from his LinkedIn page.

Mike Sharpmack is the Executive Director of  Kansas Renewal Institute and can be reached at 620-644-1195 or

[email protected]  for more information on employment.

To view the KRI website:

www.Kansasrenewal.com

Birdseye view of 401 Woodland Hills Blvd. from Mike Sharpmack’s Linkedin site.

 

 

Bourbon County, Food, Fort Scott, Youth

Fort Scott’s Scout Troop 114 Is Raising Money For Camp: Breakfast on the Bricks May11

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Fort Scott Scout Troop 114  will be serving pancakes at the Farmers Market at the Pavilion on May 11.

“It costs about $350 per scout to attend summer camp,” according to Mandi Widder, who submitted the information. “We are trying to offset the cost for families this year. We are hoping to take both the girls and boys troops this year. The scouts range from age 11 to age 16.”

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee Hosted by Fort Scott Pioneer Kiwanis

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Join us for Chamber Coffee!

Thursday, May 2nd, 8am
Hosted by Fort Scott Pioneer Kiwanis

First United Methodist Church in Fellowship Hall

301 S. National Ave.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee and observation of National Day of Prayer hosted by Fort Scott Pioneer Kiwanis, Thursday May 2nd at 8am. The coffee will be held at the United Methodist Church located at 301 S. National Ave, in the Fellowship Hall. Coffee, juice, and refreshments will be served, and attendees may register to win a special drawing.

 

Fort Scott Pioneer Kiwanis mission statement is “Kiwanis is a global organization dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time”. Locally they support several causes each year including school programs and scholarships, feeding families, healthcare, and community services. Join us Thursday, May 2nd to hear Carolyn Tucker speak on “God’s Faithfulness is Great, but what about mine.” The Fort Scott Pioneer Kiwanis meet on Thursdays at noon in the Fellowship Hall at the 1st United Methodist Church, anyone interested in their work are always welcome to visit and join them!

Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information. Visit the Events Calendar and category of Chamber Coffees on fortscott.com for upcoming locations.

Click here to visit their Facebook page!
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members

shown below…
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce

231 E. Wall St., Fort Scott, KS 66701

620-223-3566

fortscott.com
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Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Fort Scott

Ribbon Cutting for the Gathering Square Pavilion Is Saturday

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Ribbon Cutting for the Gathering Square Pavilion

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Ribbon Cutting for The Gathering Square Pavilion, Home of the Fort Scott Farmer’s Market, Saturday May 4th at 7:45am.

Join us Saturday, May 4th for the Ribbon Cutting at the new Gathering Square Pavilion to kick off the opening day for the Farmer’s Markey season. The Farmer’s Market will be packed this year with 15 returning vendors, 11 new vendors, and several more who have expressed interest in joining. This year over half of the Farmer’s Market will have fresh veggies and farm products along with early spring produce, eggs, beef, and honey. For opening day, they will have some special vendors serving cotton candy, painting faces, and the Fort Scott Garden Club will have their annual plant sale PLUS musicians such as the Neosho River Boys and performer Ashlyn from Galena.

For more information contact the Chamber at 620-223-3566 or emailing [email protected].

 

Bourbon County, Elections, Fort Scott, Health Care

May 14 Sales Tax For an ER Is Crucial to Bourbon County, Citizens Group Says

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The emergency room operations at the former Mercy Hospital sit vacant.
The Citizens for an ER group “do not see a way forward to have a provider reestablish an emergency room in Bourbon County,” said Craig Campbell, a member of the citizens’ group, ” if the May 14 vote for a sales tax is not approved.
“The Citizens for an E.R. committee appreciate the concerns, the insightful questions, and the support of the Uniontown and the Fort Scott town hall attendees,” Randy Nichols, another member,  said.  “Please vote to reopen our E.R.   Early voting starts May 6th at the courthouse.  Voting on May 14th will be at your usual polling location.”
Members of the group are Jamie Armstrong, Campbell, Lynda Foster, Charles Gentry, Mark McCoy, Nichols, and Douglas Ropp.
The group has held two public input meetings, one on April 11 in Fort Scott and one in Uniontown on April 24, to help tell the benefits of reestablishing an ER and get questions from the community.
To view the prior story on the first citizen’s input meeting:
The attendees of the town hall meeting in Uniontown on Wednesday had approximately 15-20 people.

 

“We opened the meeting stressing the importance of an emergency department to the citizens of Bourbon County,” Campbell said.

At the Uniontown meeting, there were new questions asked: “Concerns expressed at the meeting involved what the money could be spent for, why we need an ER. , and where would it be located,” Nichols said

 

Randy Nichols said “The ballot language is specific, stating for the five-year tax duration, (he quoted from the ballot), “Said tax shall be used as needed for establishment and operation of an emergency department in Bourbon County.”  If an E.R. is not established the ballot states, “upon termination, remaining tax funds shall be used for EMS and /or property tax reduction as determined by the Bourbon County Commissioners.”

“In other words, the money can only be spent on an E.R,” Nichols said.  “It cannot be used on other projects and would be returned to the community if we do not get an E.R.  A citizens committee has been appointed by the Commission to review and periodically report to the public that the money is being spent as per the ballot language.”

The needs for an ER are many, Campbell said.

“There is a need to protect those with failing health, workers in hazardous occupations, and children playing contact sports, being able to retain and recruit businesses in Bourbon County,”  he said.

“It allows our citizens quicker access to doctors, nurses, lab and radiology techs and medications that can assess and treat the health issues being presented,” Campbell said. ” Our Emergency Medical Service is top-notch!  The Rural Emergency Health mentioned earlier was written for places like Bourbon County.  It stresses 1) solid primary care, 2) great EMS, and 3) an emergency department.  We had these in place until last December 20th.  This tax question when passed would restore our three-pronged strategy to effective healthcare in Bourbon County.”

The tax is small per person.

“We reminded folks that the 0.25% sales tax would add 25 cents to the cost of a $100 purchase at the store, “Campbell said. ” And that the tax has a five-year hard stop on it.”
 “The tax can only be used to support reopening our ER and its ongoing operation,” he said. “The next step would be to get Congress to re-date the effective date of the Rural Emergency Hospital Act to December of 2015 so that hospitals such as Fort Scott’s would be eligible to receive funding for the emergency hospital.”
Graphic provided by the Citizens For an ER.
“It will operate in its previous area within the former hospital at 401 Woodland Hills Boulevard,” Campbell said.  “Medical equipment remains there as the result of a donation by Ascension (Via Christi, which closed operations at that site in December 2023).
“The current site is available and ready as it is fully equipped with lab, x-ray, CT scanner and ultrasound,” Nichols said. “These were gifted to the county by Ascension Via Christi -Pittsburg saving on the cost of reopening.   The building also has room for expansion to include observation beds and outpatient services (for example out patient surgery)  if Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) designation can be obtained in the future.”
“Rural Emergency Hospital is a federally funded designation supporting an E.R., observation beds, and out-patient services,” Nichols said.  “This is a program not yet available to Bourbon County but having an E.R. is the first step to achieve the expanded services of REH.  Having REH would relieve the need for community tax support.”

“The attendees praised the EMS service but also supported the need for an E.R.,” Nichols said.  “Having an E.R. is a needed part of our health care delivery system. An emergency room and EMS are mutually beneficial services.  Having an E.R. improves our overall community health outcomes.  “(We) recognize most E.R. visits are by walk-in patients so without an E.R. it’s likely there will be more ambulance calls and all runs will be out of the county.    Statistically, a majority of those people will not require hospitalization and would be better/ more efficiently served locally.   An E.R. was also recognized to have county-wide economic development and long-term property tax benefits.”

 

The Vote Here sign sits in front of the north wing of the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. Nationa. There will be a sales tax question on the ballot on May 14, 2024.
Bourbon County, Fort Scott

April 28-29 Tornado and Flooding in Bourbon County

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Graphic from the National Weather Service, Springfield, MO, which monitors Bourbon, Cherokee, and Crawford Counties in Southeast Kansas. The Bourbon County flood warning is on the left in the graphic.

Storms this weekend included a tornado and major flooding in Bourbon County.

Because of almost 10 inches of rain, area rivers have gone out of their banks.

The Marmaton River crested at  47 feet on April 28, and is predicted to go back down to 30 feet by Tuesday afternoon, according to Peyton Camden, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service at Springfield, Mo, which monitors conditions in Bourbon, Cherokee, and Crawford Counties in Kansas.

Rain is in the forecast for the rest of the week.

“Depending on how much rain we get, there could be a second crest,” she said.

County roads and city streets in low-lying areas were flooded, but as of today, almost all are passable.

Tornado

A tornado touched down in rural Bourbon County on the evening of Friday, April 26.

“It touched down at about 85th and Poplar Roads on Friday evening,” Bourbon County Emergency Management Director Brian Allen said.  One home near Quail Road was also affected, he said.

The Clare George property on Poplar Road. Damage to the roof and windows of the house, left, and several outbuildings, middle and right, in the photo,  were affected by the tornado. Photo by Susan George.

Clare George’s home, northeast of Uniontown, had the windows blown out on three sides and some roof damage, plus outbuildings damaged.

Flood damage

Brad Matkin, Fort Scott City Manager said most city streets are reopened following the floods this weekend.

“20th Street from Hwy. 69 to Cooper Street is still closed because of road destruction,” Matkin said on the city’s Facebook page. Clark Street from Wall Street to Third Street is still closed until the manhole flooding stops, and the Fort Scott Lake road by the spillway is still closed, he said. Fort Scott Lake homeowners can access via Hwy. 69 to Hackberry Road.

The city crews are out working to get things back to normal, Matkin said.

This is a drone photo of Gunn Park as of this morning.

Eric  Bailey, Bourbon County Public Works Director, referred road condition questions to Fort Scott/Bourbon County Dispatch.

The dispatcher said all roads in the county are open now, but people should be aware there is some damage to the roads.

 

Local Ponds Were Built to Help With Floods

Dams were built in the 1980s for helping to alleviate the excess water from floods.

Frank Young,  the contracting officer for both the Marmaton and Mill Creek Watershed Districts, stated  “the watershed dams aren’t constructed with the capacity to totally control runoff from  extremely large rainfall events covering the drainage areas above each structure (pond). They will totally control the runoff from a 25 year storm which is around 4.8 inches of rainfall in a 6-hour period. The rest of the runoff from a larger rainfall event than 4.8 inches in 6 hours, will pass through the dam’s emergency spillway with some, but not total, control of that extra runoff”.

” Marmaton WSD has 28 completed structures that control roughly 25% of the total drainage area of the Marmaton River above Mill Creek. Mill Creel WSD has 14 completed dams that control roughly 28% of the Mill Creek drainage area. The two districts together control roughly 27% of the total drainage area above Ft. Scott,” Young said.

“When a huge rainfall event occurs over the entire river drainage area of just over 240,000 acres, over 70% of this area is uncontrolled,” he said. “The combined districts have plans to build structures that would control around a total of 60% of this area when completed.”

“Both Districts have planned structures awaiting permits to construct more dams from the Corps of Engineers,” Young said. Ever since Hurricane Katrina.. permits to construct dams have become increasingly difficult to obtain from these federal agencies. The last major dam construction ended for the Marmaton District in 2015. Since then no permits have been issued by the Corps to allow these Districts to continue their flood protection program.”

“The existing dams were constructed with state of Kansas grant money along with local cost share money raised from mill levies and landowner participation,” he said. “The districts both inspect their dams annually for damage caused by natural and or man-made events and conduct repairs and maintenance as needed to keep them in shape for service during flood events. The districts will again have to inspect the existing structures soon for damage caused by this flood with repairs, if needed, conducted throughout the coming months,” Young said.

 

Tetanus Shots For Flood/Tornado Workers

Brian Allen said he is working on getting tetanus vaccines from the State of Kansas for any workers who have worked in the flood waters that have inundated the county.

SEK Multi-County Health Department is offering free tetanus shots for individuals affected by the recent flooding.  Tetanus shots will be available to impacted residents as well as first responders, volunteers, or any others who have been or will be assisting with recovery and cleanup efforts.

Free tetanus shots will be available by appointment at the SEK Multi-County Health Department in Iola, Garnett, and Fort Scott while flood response continues.

 

Bourbon County (Fort Scott): 524 S. Lowman, Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tetanus vaccines are recommended for people of all ages.  Adults need a tetanus booster shot every 10 years, but health care providers may recommend a booster sooner due to an injury or other health concerns.

Tetanus bacteria are everywhere in the environment, including soil, dust, and manure. Tetanus is most commonly caused by the bacteria getting into the body through broken skin, usually through injuries from dirty objects. During evacuation and flood cleanup, residents affected by flooding, emergency responders, cleanup workers, or volunteers may be at increased risk for these injuries. For this reason, these people should be sure that they are up to date with tetanus vaccination. This can be done by talking with your health care provider or reviewing your vaccination record.

Tetanus is commonly known as “lockjaw,” and is a serious disease that affects the nervous system and causes painful muscle contractions, particularly of your jaw and neck muscles. Tetanus can cause severe breathing problems and in serious cases, lead to death. There is no cure for tetanus.